With 14 seconds left, 14 yards to go and three points to make up on the scoreboard, Smith found his Pro Bowl tight end, who hung onto the ball through a big hit by Saints safety Roman Harper and landed in the end zone for what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown.

It was the fourth lead change over a four-minute stretch late in the fourth quarter between these two teams, during which the Niners offense proved more than capable of going tit-for-tat with one of the NFL's elite offenses.

For now, though, the Niners deserve a moment to celebrate their triumphant return to football relevance. Jim Harbaugh has been an instant success in the Bay Area, leading the Niners to the NFC West crown, a No. 2 seed in the playoffs and his first postseason win all in his first season since leaving behind Andrew Luck and Stanford for the pros.

If the method to Harbaugh's madness is any indication, this probably won't be the last time the Niners taste the sweet nectar of success on his watch, either.

And even if it is, at least it'll be something that Niners fans will cherish forever.